How BYU's 2012 football opponents fared: Week 8

In college football, winning isn't the only factor. Who you beat, and how, is a vital part of moving up the rankings and getting into a good bowl game. So each week during the 2012 season, we'll take a look at how BYU's past and future opponents performed.

The Cougars are still licking their wounds after Cal ran them over 9 days ago. Cal QB Zach Maynard threw for a TD and ran for a second, and C.J. Anderson rushed for two more. Washington State's defense gave up 507 yards to Cal. On the bright side, the WSU passing attack appears to be in good health. They are currently ninth in the nation in passing yards, averaging 322.3 per game. Mike Leach can't be too happy, however, with how one-dimensional his team is--the Cougars get only 40.6 passing yards per game, ranking 123rd. They'll need to take it to the next level if they have a chance against no. 17 Stanford.

No Highlights! Sorry!

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 27, on the road at no. 17 Stanford

Weber State (1-7, 1-4 Big Sky)

Last week: Won 24-22 at Southern Utah

Something good finally happened for the previously luckless Wildcats. Over the final 22 minutes of the game, Weber was outscored 16-3 behind a field goal and two TDs by SUU QB Brad Sorensen. The T-birds, however, failed to convert the game-tying 2-point conversion in the final minute of play and didn't recover the ensuing onside kick. It was Weber State's first win of the season. They'll get two weeks to prepare for a very vulnerable Montana Grizzlies team and hopefully extend their streak to two.

No Highlights! Sorry!

Next up: Bye

Utah (2-5, 0-4 PAC-12)

Last week: Lost 21-7 at No. 8 Oregon State

Utah went into Corvalis and moved the ball extremely well, out-gaining the Beavers offensively 307 yards to 227. The offense also excelled at turning the ball over at the most inopportune times, including a DeVonte Christopher fumble on a 3rd and Goal from the 3-yard line on the opening drive of the second half. The Utes also spotted the Beavers 14 points on two first-half turnovers, the first a Travis Wilson pick that allowed OSU to start the drive from Utah's 16-yard line, and the second a Travis Wilson fumble that put the Beavers on 1st and Goal from the 10. On the bright side, the Utes are in familiar territory. For the second time in as many years, they've started league play 0-4.

The Bronco defense towed the line again, providing a firm foundation from which the offense picked apart the Rebels. The Broncos held UNLV to 210 yards of offense, only 71 of which came through the air. Cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins shut down the Rebels wide-outs. The pair combined for two of UNLV's three turnovers, one of which was an interception in the endzone shortly before the half to squelch the rebels best scoring chance. The Bronco offense improved in this game as well. Joe Southwick went 22 for 30, averaging 8.1 yards per completion.

Side Note: Apparently the black matte helmet is all the rage in college football fashion these days. The Broncos sported black uniforms for BSU's first ever blackout game. Also, BSU Athletics produced this highlight reel.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 27, on the road vs. Wyoming

Hawai'i (1-4, 0-3 MWC)

Last Week: Bye

Still recovering from their loss to New Mexico last week, the Warriors will hit the road this week for Fort Collins, Colo., in what might be considered the pillow fight of the season. (The only matchup that could rival this would potentially be NMSU vs. Idaho) Neither the CSU Rams nor the Warriors have a conference win. Hawai'i's only win came against an FCS team from the Eastern Time Zone in week two, and CSU's only win came against Pac-12 "powerhouse" Colorado. The Rams followed that sterling win up with a loss to FCS North Dakota State.

No highlights! Sorry!

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 27, on the road vs. Colorado State

Utah State (6-2, 2-0 WAC)

Last Week: Won at home 41-7 vs. New Mexico State

It took USU a single play to take the lead against NMSU. The navy Aggies scored so quickly, the ROTC hadn't even loaded the cannon that is fired after every score. USU became bowl-eligible in October for the first time in more than three decades. They also seem to have resolved some of their kicking issues. Nick Diaz went 2-3 on the day, hitting 52-yard and 48-yard field goals. It's very clear that Utah State is simply a level above nearly everyone else in the WAC. If this trend continues, the Nov. 17 matchup vs. Louisiana Tech will determine the final WAC football championship.

The Beavers blacked out their home turf against the Utes, and it appears to have paid off. They capitalized on two first-half turnovers by Utah's freshman QB Travis Wilson and kept Utah from scoring after Utah's second half opening drive, a drive that took the Utes to OSU's 3-yard line and soaked up more than 6 minutes of game clock. Cody Vaz continued to silence any doubters that he would be able to carry the torch to victory after Sean Mannion went down two weeks ago.

Notre Dame scored 10 unanswered 2nd half points to beat BYU. With minutes remaining until the end of the game, Cody Hoffman was wide open near the end zone. Riley Nelson misfired on BYU's best opportunity at a go-ahead touchdown, and the BYU offense couldn't advance the ball well enough in the waning seconds to post a game-tying field goal. Nelson said the missed throw would haunt him until he dies. Notre Dame and star LDS linebacker Manti Te'o will continue their restorative run against the Sooners next week. Their offense will need to play better next week. BYU held backup QB Tommy Rees without a pass completion for two quarters.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 27, at no. 9 Oklahoma

Georgia Tech (3-4, 2-3 ACC)

Last Week: Won 37-17 vs. Boston College

Georgia Tech snapped a three-game losing streak and beat Boston College in a battle of ACC bottom-dwellers. It was the Yellow Jackets' first win since firing defensive coordinator Al Groh. Until this week, Georgia Tech defense had allowed more than 40 points in every loss but one. Georgia Tech held a startling advantage in nearly every statistical category: first downs, total offensive yards, rushing yards, third-down conversions, turnovers, and time of possession. Like the Cougars, Georgia Tech's weak spot appears to be kicking. Georgia Tech tried two different kickers and went 1-4 on field goal attempts, missing an extra point along the way as well.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 27, at home against BYU

Idaho (1-7, 1-2 WAC)

Last Week: Lost 70-28 on the road vs. Louisiana Tech

Idaho got a bolt of confidence two weeks ago when they beat New Mexico State, but it's back to the doldrums for the Vandals. Idaho allowed 35 points in the first quarter alone. It didn't help that Idaho fumbled the opening kickoff on the 6-yard line. The Vandals also allowed the Bulldogs to run up 839 yards in total offense--431 passing and 408 rushing. Louisiana Tech is the no. 1 offensive team in the nation, but it got downright silly in Ruston last weekend. Idaho, on the brink of FBS independence and reeling with one of the worst defenses in FBS, is probably doing some serious reevaluating of themselves as a football school.

The Spartans got back on track with a road win against first-year FBS school UTSA in can be considered their most impressive offensive performance of the season. David Fales threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns. The Spartans scored 38 of their 52 points in the first quarter, riding momentum from three Roadrunner first-quarter turnovers. UTSA had an extraordinarily difficult time keeping their offense on the field; they turned it over six times. The Spartans are on the cusp of bowl eligibility. If SJSU wants to win a WAC title, however, they'll need help from USU, Louisiana Tech or both.

The maroon Aggies lived up to their reputation as a really poor football team last week, losing to Utah State 41-7. NMSU actually moved the ball fairly well, but couldn't capitalize well enough to get into the end zone until the third quarter, a quarter in which USU is known to play poorly. The maroon Aggies got 21 first downs and piled up 321 yards of total offense. However, they allowed the Navy Aggies 516 yards and multiple big first half plays. They'll have to figure out something defensively in a hurry, because the offensive juggernaut that is Louisiana Tech is coming to Las Cruces next week.